Over 1 700 arrested and 65 unlicensed firearms taken off Gauteng streets
“Most of the suspects were arrested through tip-offs and information received from the members of the public.”
Gauteng police arrested more than 1 700 persons over the long weekend and recovered 65 unlicensed firearms.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said 450 suspects were arrested in the Tshwane district.
Suspects were arrested during operations and routine police stop-and-searches in various parts of the province.
“The perpetrators were found to have committed serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, robbery, car hijacking, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape, fraud, and theft,” said Masondo.
He said that intelligence-driven routine patrols led to the discovery of most firearms.
Police believe these are the firearms that are used during the commission of serious and violent crimes in the province.
On Friday evening, Masondo said that the integrated forces of Operation O Kae Molao flooded the streets of both Atteridgeville and Pretoria West.
“Their presence was quickly felt as they closed down nine illegal liquor outlets for operating without licences or permits.”
Masondo said 33 undocumented immigrants were arrested for being in the country illegally.
“Eight suspects were arrested for possession of drugs and one suspect was arrested for car hijacking.
“Two more suspects were arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure in Atteridgeville after they were caught red-handed making illegal electricity connections with suspected stolen cables,” Masondo said.
“Most of the suspects were arrested through tip-offs and information received from the members of the public.”
The Johannesburg district saw 453 arrests for a range of offences including property damage, assault, drug possession, housebreaking, theft, drunk driving, and illegal liquor sales.
In the Ekurhuleni district, 403 suspects were apprehended, including two males believed to be the masterminds behind car hijackings in the area.
These suspects were linked to a car hijacking and murder case that occurred earlier in the week, where the victim was killed and his vehicle taken.
The suspects were found with various items related to the crimes, and their vehicle was seized.
In Sedibeng, 216 suspects were arrested for crimes such as murder, assault, robbery, drug possession, and driving under the influence.
In the West Rand, more than 159 suspects were arrested.
Masondo said that the arrested suspects would appear in various magistrate’s courts in due course.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
